Vanguard trigger

H

hookedonblacktail

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I have just purchased a Vanguard (pre series 2) and the trigger is gritty to say the least, seems to be quite common with these rifles as I understand it. It has 3 distinct catching points when being pulled before it releases. I know that Weatherby will fix it for me if I send it in at my expense but seeing as I am CHEAP and also have 6 weeks off work (so I have nothing but time on my hands) as of now, I am wondering about honing it myself. Have looked around a bit and apparently it can be done relativly easy at home, even found a small tutorial by some guy in New Zealand, I think it's Nathan Foster of that ballistic studies website. Has anyone here done it themselves, could you offer any advise?

Also would be interested in hearing peoples opinions about these rifles (or Howas) by anyone who owns one. Have done a ton of research and it is actually difficult to find anything negative about them, aside from the trigger, the Japanese machining and worksmanship seems to be nothing short of excellent. Apparently they are a close copy of the older Sako design?

thanks for any responses
 
I've owned the older and new S2 vanguards. The S2 does have a much improved trigger and IMHO a better stock as well. That said they are both a solid buy. For under $600 you do get a well made gun that has a much nicer finish and overall quality to it compared to other guns in that price point.

I have an S2 in 7 08 and all I needed to do was retorque the mounting screws to get it to shoot better than advertised. It sits in the keeper side of the safe.
 
I had one in a 270 trigger was fine, would not hesitate to buy another, only sold it because I got a deal on a Winchester 270wsm.
 
Interesting rifle to say the least.
WSS had them on sale a while back.
Only thing I could find as a negative was the
weight of them.
For the smaller chamberings, I figured the added
burden was unnecessary.
Nice choice on caliber powdergun.
I will one day own a 7mm-08 or back into a 6.5x55.
Fun durable round to shoot.
 
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Got a 270 lately and the trigger break clean at 50 ounces, very good for the price ( 449.00 @ Wantstalls )... JP.
 
This is my fourth Wby Vanguard and first in the S2 inn .257 Wby.
Earlier ones we either changed out the trigger spring and re-set them in the stock and torqued with good improvement.
The S2 is another beast all together, it has a two stage trigger that was/is foreign to me, but after 20 rounds down range cit was/is on target .
M Of Rock (basket ball size) at 250 yrds it is making dust fly.
Of course the action was torqued after it came home from the fine folks at Wholesale Sports held it for me for a few days.
I do find the new stock different, dont really like the grippy panels that Weatherby went with.
Not really sticky and kind of hard that makes for an odd feel in my hands.
Rob
 
The S2 Vanguards have excellent triggers. They are all tuned and checked by a real live human.

The original vanguards on the other hand: some of them shipped with a batch of springs from a supplier which did not meet spec. If you send it back, they will fix it. Some of them have okay springs but are gritty. Some of them are just EXCELLENT.

I find that it's necessary to feel the triggers in person before buying an "S1" Vanguard.

If you've bought one with a less than awesome trigger, the surfaces are rough and need to be polished.

BE CAREFUL!
 
I own several S1 Vanguards. I have changed out the triggers on 2 of them [Timney]
The other two adjusted up just fine and work fine.

I like the Vanguard/Howa rifles. They are quite accurate, and seem well made.
All of mine, including the 338, will shoot moa or better with loads I have developed.

As Looky commented, possibly a bit heavy in smaller chamberings, but that is not
a serious flaw, IMHO.

I put an S2 Synthetic stock on my S1 270, and I really like it.
However, two of my S1's sport wood, and I, of course, prefer that.

Regards, Eagleye
 
I've had some S1 vanguards with very nice triggers but it was a hit and miss thing the S 2 I have now has a very nice trigger can't wait to try it soon maybe.
 
I have two of the older Vanguards and two S2's. All the triggers are clean, crisp and break very easy. I sold one and it too had an excellent trigger. No idea as to the issue because I have not experienced with the Vanguards.
 
Vanguards are a great entry level gun, however one of the worst factory triggers ive ever seen on a bolt action. Im not a Timiney fan at all but i purchaced one for a vangaurd i had and i was able to get it down to a pound. I think it was aroudn $125 ... worth every penny, will change the rifle, i wouldnt piss around with that factory trigger.
 
Thanks everbody that's great..rombat that link is perfect, just what I was looking for! Should have put this in the OP but has anyone tried a one piece base on these, thinking of Warne or DNZ....how about the plastic detach mag conversion kit? Think I have another one on the way, WWS is clearing out the old ones!
 
hookedonblacktail, I have used the Leupold one pc. base on two of the long actions.
No problem with ejections, just a bit of a pain to top load with cold fingers.
But, you only need one shot right?
The OEM magazine replacement was just out and two years away when I sold/traded the 30:06.
So, can't comment to that.
Rob
 
pilot2001 said:
Vanguards are a great entry level gun, however one of the worst factory triggers ive ever seen on a bolt action.
Click to expand...

You obviously haven't owned a Savage before. Even the hallowed "Accutrigger" is horrendous.

I giess I've been lucky. I bought (2) of the closeout Vaguard (1's) synthetics in .223 Rem. from WSS last December and both of those triggers are great. The stocks are complete junk but I bought these rifles mainly for the actions so I could build some customs with them. The Howa 2 1500 Varmint I bought with the new 2-stage trigger is awesome and by far one of the best factory triggers I've used.

I'm a Rem 700 fan and I wanted to try something different. I've got (3) Vanguard/Howa rifle in total and the only complaint I have with them is that the bolt handlle feels small to me and I think it could use some improvement. Pretty minor gripe for something that's very easily changed. The actions are very smooth, I like the AR style extractor, the finish quality even on the base rifles are great, and I like the fact they accept the very common 2-piece Rem 700 bases which are found just about everywhere.
 
I changed my first Vanguard trigger out for a Timney. Awhile back I bought 5 more of them and reasoned that 5 X Timney = too much. After giveing myself a crash course in Vanguard triggers I see no need to give timney any more money.Besides, Timneys are just OK, lets not be confuseing them with Jewels.
 
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